Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has condemned the recent renaming of streets and bus stops in Lagos.
Last week, Kolade David, the outgoing chairman of the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), announced the renaming of several streets in the area.
David said the decision was made to recognise individuals who have elevated Bariga’s reputation through their contributions.
Among the changes, Charly Boy Bus Stop was renamed Baddo Bus Stop in recognition of popular rapper Olamide ‘Baddo’ Adedeji.
King Sunny Ade, singer 9ice, artiste Tony Tetuila, and Nigerian-born Arsenal footballer Bukayo Saka also had streets renamed after them.
On Sunday, Charles Oputa, the singer and activist better known as Charly Boy, criticised the street’s renaming, claiming that the government was intimidated by his decades-long resistance against oppression.
‘Breach Of Constitution’
In a statement, Falana said the local government councils have the constitutional authority to rename streets and assign houses.
The human rights lawyer questioned the legitimacy of the LCDA in renaming streets.
The 37 LCDAs in Lagos were created by President Bola Tinubu in 2003 when he was governor of the state.
However, the LCDAs are not recognised because the 1999 constitution only acknowledges the 20 existing LGAs in the state.
In 2004, then-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration withheld Lagos’ LGA allocations, arguing that the creation of LCDAs was unconstitutional.
Lagos challenged Obasanjo’s decision in court. The supreme court held that while the state can create LCDAs, they would remain administrative units until the national assembly amends the constitution to grant them the status of LGAs.
In recent months, federal lawmakers from Lagos have been pushing for the amendment of the constitution to make the LCDAs full-fledged local government areas.
Falana cited a court ruling that the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has the sole power to name roads and streets within its jurisdiction.
“The usurpation of the exclusive functions of local governments on street naming by certain individuals and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State cannot be justified under the Nigerian Constitution,” the statement reads.
Falana condemned the decision to rename Charley Boy Bus Stop, arguing that it was done without engaging the local community.
He said the move disregarded public sentiment and eroded the area’s cultural heritage.
“Charley Boy Bus Stop acquired its name sociologically due to its functionality and the positive impact which Charley Boy has historically made in the area,” he said.
“Renaming it without consulting the Bariga and Gbagada people smacks of authoritarianism.”
Falana urged Lagos authorities to stop the unilateral renaming of public spaces, saying there is a need for proper consultation before any such changes are made.
